Acetylene-gas generator.



Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

B. G. MORRISON.

AOBTYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION TILED APRA, 1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ESTON G. MORRISON, 0F MINGO, IOWA, ASSIGNOR or onE-HALE '10 ALEXANDER ELLIOTT, or MINGO, IOWA.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EsroN G. MORRISON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mingo, in the county of Jasper and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Acetylene-Gas Generator, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved construction for acetylene gas generators.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved construction for carbid cartridges of acetylene gas generators.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for releasing a carbid cartridge in an acetylene gas generator.

A further object of this invention is to provide a water seal for a carbid cartridge in an acetylene gas generator.

invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section diametrically of the complete machine and Fig. 2 is a vertical section at right angles to Fig. 1.

In the construction of the apparatus as shown the numeral 10 designates a tank or cylinder, preferably circular in cross-section, open at its top and closed at its bottom, and hereinafter referred to as the water tank. A service pipe 11 is mounted through and sealed to the lower portion of the side wall of the water tank 10 and may lead, outside said tank, to any place of use of acetylene gas, such as burners. The service pipe 11 turns upwardly within the tank 10 and a filter case 12 is mounted on and sealed to its open upper end. The filter case 12 is adapted to contain filtering material 13, such as charcoal, through which all gas discharged by the service pipe 11 is required to pass.

The filter case 12 preferably is imperforate in its bottom and sides, save for the upper end of the pipe 11 communicating therewith, and is provided with a perforated upper end portion through which gas may enter to the filtering material on its way to the service pipe. The filter case 12 preferably extends above the upper end of the water tank and always is above the level of water in said tank.

- A safety pipe 14 is mounted through and sealed to the side wall of the water tank 10, near the bottom thereof and diametrically opposite to the service pipe 11. The safety pipe 14: may extend to any desired point of discharge, preferably outside any building or inclosure containing the apparatus under description. The up oer end portion of the safety pipe 1 1 withln the water tank 10 preferably extends above the upper end of said water tank. Posts or guides 15, 16 are fixed to the outer face of and extend above the wall of the water tank 10 at diametrically opposite points.

A gas bell 17, preferably made of sheet metal, is mounted in inverted position within and concentric of the water tank 10. The

gas bell 17 is provided with forks 18, 19 at diametrically opposite points and projecting outward from the upper portion of its wall, which forks are adapted to embrace loosely and slide relative to the posts or guides 15, 16 on the water tank. Thus is the equilibrium of the gas bell maintained relative to the water tank. A housing 20 is mounted in and fixed to the inner surface of the side wall of the gas bell 17 and is arranged concentrically with and freely spaced from the safety pipe 14. The lower end portion of the housing 20 is open to pernnt telescoping relations with the safety pipe 14 and the wall and closed upper end of said housing are imperforate. The housing 20 is of such length as to extend a considerable distance into water contained in the tank 10 and yet is of less length or height than the gas bell, thus providing that said housing shall be withdrawn from the water previous to any withdrawal of the gas bell from such water. This provision insures an escape or blowing off of gas from the bell through the housing 20 and safety pipe 14: previous to and preventive of any leakage of gas around the lower margin of the bell.

A water-leg 21 is provided and primarily is formed of a tube circular in cross-section, open at each end and made of sheet metal. A funnel 22 (preferably shaped as an inverted truncated cone) is mounted concentric with the upper end portion of the waterlcg 21 and is secured and sealed thereto at its lower end. The upper end portion of the funnel 22 preferably is flush with the upper end portion of the water-leg 21 and is spaced concentrically therefrom. The water-leg 21 and funnel 22 are mounted through a central circular opening in the top plate of the gas bell 17 and said funnel preferably is sealed to said plate. A discharge pipe or spout 23 is formed on, communicates with and extends laterally from the water-leg 21 imme-.

diately below the funnel 22 and preferably above the surface of the water (indicated by a line 24:) in the tank 10., A check valve 25 is mounted in the spout 23 and serves to prevent return of gas from the bell to the water-leg.

A cartridge holder or frame is provided and is constructed as follows: A cylinder 26 is made, circular in cross-section and of a size to be received with and extend approximately one-half the depth of the waterleg 21., The cylinder 26 is formed with an imperforate top 27 of greater diameter than the cylinder and projecting beyond the circumference thereof. The circular top 27 is formed with a depending flange or bell 28 integral with or sealed thereto and said flange is adapted to inclose and fit snugly to the upper end portion of the water-leg 21 and in so doing is adapted to extend a material distance within the funnel 22. The funnel 22 also is adapted to contain water to a level indicated approximately by the dotted line 29. The top 27 also is provided with a handle 30. A perforated bottom plate 31 is mounted across and connected to the cylinder 26 at one point by a hinge 32, said hinge having its members riveted respectively to the cylinder and plate. The bottom plate 31 is connected to the cylinder at a point diametrically opposite to the hinge 32 'by a hinge 33 (Fig. 6) one member of the latter hinge being riveted to the plate and the other member having an aperture adapted to engage over a pin 34L projecting radially from the cylinder. A notch 35 is formed in the upper end portion of the cylinder 26 and a trigger 36 of T form is mounted in said notch and pivoted to the cylinder immediately below the top 27. One arm of the T trigger 36 extends outwardly from the cylinder 26 and is adapted to engage at times the upper end of the water-leg 21 and another arm, alining therewith, extends inward from the wall of the cylinder. Another arm of the T trigger extends downward within the notch 35 at right angles to the two arms above described and is formed with a hook 37 extending inwardly from the wall of the cylinder, The cylinder is also formed with one or more gas ports 38 in its upper portion.

A carbid cartridge 39 is provided and is formed as a cylinder with an imperforate top 40 sealed thereto and projecting radially therefrom. The imperforate top 40 fits snugly to the interior of the cylinder 26 and the operation of moving the cartridge 39 to the extreme top of the cylinder causes said member 410 to move the hook 37 outwardly and pass by said hook. The tendency of the trigger is to assume a position whereby the hook 37 normally will prevent return movement of the cartridge by engaging the projecting rim of the top 40, and this tendency is supplemented by contact of the member 40 with the inwardly projecting arm at the upper end of the trigger. When so engaged the cartridge may tilt or cant somewhat in the cylinder but because of the relative diameters of the cylinder and cartridge it normally will retain an upright position. The cartridge cylinder 39 also is formed with a plurality of gas and water ports 41 in its side wall. The carbid cartridge 39 also is formed with an imperforate bottom plate 42 secured thereto by hinges 413, 414:, the hinge 43 being riveted respectively to the plate and cylinder while the hinge 14: has one of its members riveted to the plate and its other member formed with a hole to re ceive and engage a pin 45 projecting outward from the cylinder 40.

In practical use the parts are assembled as shown in Figs. 1, 2, the carbid cartridge being first filled or charged with carbid and placed in the carbid holder or cartridge holder 26. The carbid cartridge is filled or charged by opening the bottom plate from the wall thereof while the cartridge is in inverted position and then said cartridge is closed as shown and inserted in the holder 26 while the latter is open and in inverted position. Then the holder 26 (and eartridge therein) is mounted in the water-leg as shown, the flange or hell 28 extending within the funnel 22. Water is then supplied to the funnel 22 and tank 10 and the cartridge holder is depressed or pressed downward until the outwardly extending arm of the T trigger 36 engages the upper end of the water-leg 21, oscillates said trigger and releases the hook 37 from sustaining engagement with the projecting rim of the top plate 40 of the cartridge 39. Thereupon the loaded cartridge falls within the holder 26 to a position of rest on the perforated plate 31. In the position just described on the perforated plate 31 the carbid cartridge is within the upper portion of the water contained in the leg 21 and hence is subject to the influence of water entering the car tridge through the ports 41. As the gas is generated in the cartridge 39 it is discharged through one or another of the ports 41 into the holder 26; is discharged from the holder 26 through the notch 35 and ports 38 to the water-leg 21; is discharged from the water leg through the spout 23 and check valve 25 and acts upon and raises the gas bell 17, water-leg, cartridge holder, cartridge and connected devices. As required for use the gas is drawn from the bell 17 through the filter case 12, filtering material and pipe 11. Escape of gas from the upper end of the cartridge holder 26 and water-leg 21 is prevented by the water seal formed in the funnel 22 around the flange or bell 28. As the gas accumulates the cartridge is lifted out of the Water in the tank 10 and leg 21 and generation of gas ceases. As the gas is used the bell settles in the tank 10 and brings the carbid cartridge again within the influence of water in the tank and leg. This operation is maintained automatically until the supply of water in the tank is reduced beyond the point of usefulness or until the carbicl in the cartridge is exhausted. In the former event the bell 17 and connected parts may be lifted sufficiently to permit the escape of gas through the housing 20 and safety pipe 14. In the latter event the cartridge is recharged or substituted by another of like character in the following manner: The cartridge holder 26 and used cartridge therein are withdrawn from the bell 17 preferably by the use of one hand of the operator, the other hand being employed to depress the bell and prevent undue rising thereof and suspension of pressure in the service pipe. Then the bottom plate 31 is opened, the cartridge is removed and discarded or recharged, and a new or recharged cartridgeis inserted in the open holder while in inverted position and is caused to fall into engagement with the hook 37 on the T trigger 36. Then the bottom plate 31 is closed and secured, the holder is righted as to position and is then inserted with the loaded cartridge into the water-leg 21 as previously described.

Especial advantage is found in the use of the water seal provided in the funnel 22; in the valvularly controlled spout 23; in the removable holder 26 independent of the cartridge; in the independent cartridge 39; and in the T trigger 36 adapted to carry the cartridge in the holder and trip it into the influence of the water when desired.

I claim as my invention 1. An acetylene gas generator, comprising a water tank, a gas bell therein, means for discharging gas for service from said tank, a safety pipe communicating with the gas bell and leading from the tank, a water-leg in the gas bell, a cartridge holder removably and replaceably mounted in the waterle a carbid cartridge removably and replacezily mounted in said holder, and a trigger in said holder adapted to engage the waterleg at times and also adapted to be engaged by said cartridge at times.

2. An acetylene gas generator, comprising a water tank, a gas bell therein, means for discharging gas for service from said tank, a safety pipe communicating with the gas bell and leading from the tank, a water-leg in the gas bell, a funnel on said water-leg, a cartridge holder removably and replaceably mounted in the water-leg, a flange on said holder extending within said funnel, a cal-bid cartridge removably and replaceably mounted in said holder, and a trigger in said holder adapted to engage the waterleg at times and also adapted to be engaged by said cartridge at times.

3. In an acetylene gas generator, a waterleg formed with a concentric funnel, a cartridge holder formed with a concentric bell adapted to surround said water-leg and extend within water in said funnel, said holder formed with a door, a cartridge mounted within said holder, a trigger mounted within said cartridge holder adapted to engage and be tripped by the water-leg at times, and a flange on the cartridge adapted to be engaged and supported by said trlgger at times.

l. In an acetylene gas generator, a waterleg formed with a concentric funnel, a cartridge holder formed with a concentric bell adapted to surround said water-leg and extend within water in said funnel, said holder formed with a door, a cartridge mounted within said holder, a, trigger mounted within said cartridge holder and adapted to engage and be tripped by the water-leg at times, and a flange on the cartridge adapted to be engaged and supported by said trigger at times, said water-leg formed with a discharge spout and a check valve in said spout.

ESTON G. MORRISON.

Witnesses ALEXANDER Emao'rr,

A. V. FREY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, 1). 0. 

